East Sussex · England
Paella party catering in Blacklands, East Sussex
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Blacklands.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
- Leaving dos and retirements
Live paella party catering in Blacklands
Paella party catering in Blacklands, cooked live
Homes, gardens, clubs and hired venues all work. We cook mixed paella, seafood paella and tapas, and we’re regularly asked to cater garden parties and summer barbecues and wakes and celebrations of life.
Parties around Blacklands are frequently relaxed, garden-and-gazebo affairs. A paella pan fits right in. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
- Area
- Blacklands (TN34, TN37, TN35)
- Area hub
- East Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Also near Blacklands
What else we do in Blacklands
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Have enough chairs for most guests
- Count adults and children separately
- Have cover ready for a shower
- Warn the neighbours
We arrive before your guests to set up, so the cooking is under way as people arrive.
Tapas to start keep hunger at bay.
How it works
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you’re free to enjoy your party. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. At midsummer, it’s light in Blacklands until about 9:15pm, which gives a garden party a long evening. In late September it’s dark by about 7:00pm; add lights for the evening.
- We check your date and the space.
- You choose your paellas and any extras.
- We set up the burners and start the sofrito.
- The rice goes in and your guests gather round.
- We serve hot and tidy our area afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Ask for a quote
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Blacklands parties: what to know
Blacklands is about 1 mile east of Hastings, in East Sussex. Give us the address of your party in Blacklands, and we will plan access and set-up before the day. We cater in 289 places in East Sussex. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 31 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Ore station, about 0.6 miles east. After a christening at a church like Christ Church, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends. Near the coast, within about a mile, seafood paella is a natural choice, and we always plan for wind.
We cover parties in every part of TN34, TN37 and TN35 and the streets around it. From Laton Road, Manor Road and Park Avenue or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. Blacklands sits on or near the A2101, so getting the burners and pans to your party is simple. If your venue is just outside Blacklands, we also cover St Helen's (1 mile north), Hastings (1 mile west), Belmont (1 mile south-east), America Ground (1 mile south) and Hastings Old Town (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastbourne (14 miles south-west), Bexhill-on-Sea (5 miles west), Hailsham (14 miles west), Polegate (15 miles west), Old Town (15 miles south-west) and Upper Horsebridge (14 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include The True Crime Museum (0.9 miles south) and Priory Meadow Shopping Centre (0.7 miles south). Open spaces near Blacklands include Church Wood and Robsack Wood.
- Schools near Blacklands include William Parker Sports College (0.7 miles north-west) and University School (0.8 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include Crowleys Bar (0.7 miles south)
About the dishes
Tapas
Patatas bravas, tortilla, croquetas and olives to start.
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich stock.
Is live paella right for your party?
A takeaway order is easy but forgettable. Live paella gives guests a show. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why Blacklands hosts choose us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Sangria and bar staff available
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Distance and access to the venue
- The length of service
- The number of people
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Details that help
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The address or venue name
- The date and rough timings
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Common questions in Blacklands
Is Blacklands close to London?
About 53 miles from central London.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it is worth asking.
When should I book?
Early for summer weekends. Ask about your date.
Can you supply plates?
On request. Crockery or disposables can be added.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
What space do you need to cook?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a picture if you’re not sure.
Where do you cater?
We cater across London and the South East, East Sussex included. See all areas.
Organising for someone else?
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Occasions we cook for in Blacklands
It feeds a crowd without anyone stuck in the kitchen, and it is a talking point.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Blacklands, people book us for occasions like:
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Family reunions
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Christenings and naming days
Thinking of a party in Alexandra Park? Cooking in a public park generally needs permission from the council or landowner, so check first.
Questions to ask before booking
- Who provides the crockery
- Allergen information for each dish
- A clear list of what’s included
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Cooked live in giant pans at your event
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options
- Paella, tapas, canapés and desserts
- Sangria, bar staff, crockery and waiting staff